Role reversed for coach in summer league

Make-up baseball games last Thursday translated into a demand for more umpires, which in turn depleted the summer league basketball referee crew, which forced Tonganoxie boys' basketball coach Dave Walker to officiate rather than watch.

"You learn to appreciate it," Walker said about being a referee.

Summer league basketball allows teammates to play on the same teams in the offseason, but high school coaches can only watch from the stands or referee.

Walker said the league is productive because players are getting some practice.

"Most importantly, they're getting into the gym," Walker said. "You start to learn how this guy or that guy cuts."

The league is entering its third week of competition. Teams play on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a four-team tournament will occur on July 3.

Tonganoxie has three teams in the six-team league, along with one team from Basehor-Linwood and two from Bonner Springs.

Tonganoxie I is 5-3, Tonganoxie II is 4-4, and Tonganoxie III is 1-7. Leading all Tonganoxie teams in scoring average is Jordan Glenn with 23.

In an all-Tonganoxie match-up on Thursday, Tonganoxie I defeated Tonganoxie III 88-51.

Play continues Tuesday, June 26, as Tonganoxie I plays Bonner Springs I at 6 p.m. Tonganoxie II takes on Bonner Springs II and Bonner Springs I takes on Tonganoxie III, both at 7p.m., and the Tonganoxie I Tonganoxie II and Basehor-Linwood Tonganoxie III games will start at 8 p.m.